Bab 26: Rersiat, the Eater Of Sheep

Time frame: wartime

"I don't want to."

Lady Sophia gave Adeline a beseeching look.

"What if I die standing up because of him?!"

Lady Sophia burst into laughter. "Don't worry, I'll resurrect you."

"Oh, how kind! I still wish that King Reinald would free me after the war. I could marry a farmer from the village and have a bunch of adorable children," Adeline spoke dreamily.

A bitter smile curved on Lady Sophia's lips as she observed Adeline's thoughts drifting into fantasy. She was well aware that Adeline's dreams were mere illusions, unlikely to ever become reality.

Yet, Lady Sophia couldn't bring herself to shatter Adeline's illusions. Those dreams were a source of comfort and hope in an otherwise grim existence.

Lady Sophia had always been a gentle soul, endowed with empathy and a compassionate heart. This quality made her an invaluable asset to their clan, as she could connect with the pain and suffering of those around her in a way few others could.

For the Healer clan, they were merely pawns to the royal family, a form of amusement and pleasure for those in power.

They were treated as nothing more than concubines and courtesans, bestowed as rewards upon those who displayed loyalty to the throne.

Their lives were never truly their own. Their choices and freedoms were stripped away without hesitation. Regardless of how hard they toiled, they remained subject to the capricious desires of their masters.

It was a cruel destiny that had plagued their clan for generations. Yet, they endured it for their own survival and the survival of their fellow Healers.

"What about Ragnar?"

Lady Sophia's laughter brightened the room unexpectedly, surprising Adeline. "He's oddly adorable."

Adeline's brows furrowed in disbelief. "Adorable? Seriously?"

"He's a kind man. Ragnar is like a blank canvas waiting to be painted. He's clueless about women. I believe I can gradually influence him. He would make an excellent future husband, trust me."

Adeline found herself taken aback by Lady Sophia's optimism regarding the formidable Ragnar. Was she talking about the same Ragnar who had his entire troop performing push-ups while carrying boulders?

And yet, as Lady Sophia spoke, Adeline couldn't help but feel a strange reverence for this intimidating figure, as if he were a forgotten god from history.

Before long, two Gamaaloths entered the kitchen tent. One of them was yawning and wriggling around.

"What's wrong, Adeline, missing me too much? Can't survive a day without seeing me?" the Gamaaloth quipped.

Adeline raised an eyebrow incredulously. "Huh? Who said that?"

Roman looked at Uzana and stated, "It was that healer girl who kept asking about your condition, Uzana. I didn't lie. I apologize for disturbing your rest by waking you up."

Uzana waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, don't worry. I trust you, Roman. I've known for a while that Adeline has a crush on me. That's why she's always so mad at me; she's trying to hide her feelings. You can continue chatting with Helvis outside. I'll stick to the kitchen schedule."

"I what?!" Adeline exclaimed in disbelief.

Lady Sophia couldn't help but giggle at Uzana's accusation. Adeline shot her a disapproving look.

Roman, however, appeared affronted by the suggestion that he and Helvis were involved romantically. To show his respect for Uzana, he exited the tent.

Uzana wriggled once more, accidentally bumping into a lantern hanging above him, nearly causing it to fall. "Oops!" he exclaimed, quickly catching it.

Adeline averted her gaze and resumed chopping vegetables.

"You've been awake for days taking care of Ragnar, Uzana. You must be exhausted," Sophia remarked softly. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine, just really sleepy," Uzana replied. He approached the deer lying on the table and continued the task of skinning it that Roman had started. "When Ragnar woke up yesterday, he was livid that I was working with you ladies. If Ragnar doesn't consider me family in the end, I'll hold you both responsible." He spoke while wielding the knife playfully in Sophia and Adeline's direction.

"That's okay. Eventually, you'll be marrying a Cescil girl," Sophia said. "In the end, we'll all be family."

"Absolutely. I'm going to pick Adeline, though I'll ask King Reinald to remove her tongue beforehand. Ah, that'll be the happiest day of my life." Uzana sighed dramatically, a smile playing on his lips even though a cloth obscured them, his eyes speaking volumes.

"Hey!!!" Adeline protested, her gaze flashing with annoyance.

Sophia chuckled. "I'm now certain that you two share the same blood. You used the exact same phrase."

Uzana's hand froze mid-motion. "Oh, really? Whose tongue is he planning to cut out? Not to worry you, but unlike me, Ragnar isn't one for jests. He'd likely act on it without further ado." Uzana's tone was gentle as he spoke.

Sophia swallowed, her laughter vanishing in an instant. Adeline cast a concerned glance at her.

"Did he mention it to you, Sophia?" Uzana's gaze shifted slowly toward her.

Sophia nodded, her movements cautious.

"And you still have your tongue."

Sophia nodded again.

A smile graced Uzana's features, his suspicions confirmed. Indeed, his brother had feelings for Sophia. Uzana had observed that Sophia's appearance matched Ragnar's preferences.

Yet, Uzana was also aware that Ragnar's impulsive and rough demeanor would make initiating a relationship with someone like Sophia challenging.

Uzana contemplated whether he should step in as a matchmaker, though he remained uncertain whether such a move would be wise.

As the three of them lost themselves in their thoughts, a sudden and violent tremor shook the entire tent and cooking equipment.

An earthquake? No, the ground beneath them remained steady.

The violent shaking seemed to emanate from the air itself. The three individuals stepped outside the kitchen tent and gazed upward at the sky.

A dark speck materialized at a great altitude, hovering and rotating above their camp.

Was it another dragon? But wait, only Gamaaloth managed to breed dragons, right?

"Yes, that's Rersiat, the Eater of Sheep," Uzana muttered in disbelief. "Father himself has come. I'm in for a beating, or worse." Fear flickered in his eyes.